FORT WORTH, Texas — Jason Thornburg has been sentenced to death after a jury convicted him of capital murder for the brutal killings and dismemberment of three people whose remains were found burning in a Fort Worth dumpster more than three years ago.
Thornburg, 45, was found guilty of the September 2021 murders of David Lueras, 42, Lauren Phillips, 34, and Maricruz Reyes-Mathis, 33. His defense attorneys argued that Thornburg should be found not guilty by reason of insanity, but the jury rejected this claim.
The sentencing took place after a 14-day trial in Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 3. Thornburg showed no emotion as the sentence was read. The jury, visibly emotional, wiped away tears as they delivered the death sentence.
The murders occurred in west Fort Worth, where the victims’ remains were discovered in a burning dumpster on Bonnie Drive. Thornburg, who was arrested later in 2021, confessed to the killings and provided chilling details about the crimes. According to an arrest warrant, Thornburg had met the victims at the Mid City Inn in Euless and later lured them to their deaths.
In his confession, Thornburg claimed he believed he was being called to commit sacrifices and was also implicated in two other killings: that of his roommate, Mark Jewell, in Texas in 2021, and his girlfriend, Tanya Begay, in Arizona in 2017.
During the sentencing phase, family members of the victims spoke out in court. Norma Harris, the sister of Maricruz Reyes-Mathis, described her sibling as “beautiful, strong, and outgoing,” expressing the lasting pain caused by Thornburg’s actions.
“Your actions have caused a lot of pain,” Harris told Thornburg. “Even after we get justice, we will still be missing our loved ones.”
As part of the sentencing, Thornburg’s attorneys argued that fetal alcohol syndrome contributed to his violent behavior, but prosecutors painted him as a “psychopath” and a “cannibal,” seeking the death penalty.
Mary Boydston, the mother of David Lueras, found comfort in her faith. “They have been home with Jesus since their last breaths,” Boydston said, holding a picture of her son.
Thornburg’s case marks the first death penalty trial in Tarrant County since 2019. His conviction and sentence bring some closure to the families, though for Edith Tsoie, the sister of Tanya Begay, full justice will only come when her sister’s body is found.
“We never had a funeral. We don’t know where she’s at,” Tsoie said. “Until then, there won’t be closure.”
For many, the death penalty is seen as the only justice for a man they consider a serial killer.